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Thursday, December 29, 2011

1 Year Anniversary Jan 25

It has been almost a year since I started this website! Where as the time gone and so forth with that cliche. I think I would review something special. So I've decided to review the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection and it will be out on January 25, 2012. I will also change the picture of the game on the TV screen at the top to I don't know yet. Cya.

A very late Uncharted 3 Review



The Uncharted franchise has been a revolution in modern video games by developer Naughty Dog who took a another dive in making the 'Indiana Jones' of video games. After well Indiana Jones video games and Tomb Raider games, this is a game series that as never failed to impress, Uncharted is a game that seems to delve in to some Uncharted territory. Maybe not so Uncharted territory, but definitely took a same yet different path as an Archeology-ish Action Adventure Game. Uncharted will stand the test of time because of its many achievements and of course memorable gameplay.

When Uncharted 2 came out it ended up as the game of the year. Did Naughty Dog's third attempt beat or at least bear the same weight as the preceding game? Looking over Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, in terms of its overall gameplay, narrative, and visuals should give a better understanding as to say how this one compares to Uncharted 2 or if it is a good deal for your money which is honestly what I look for.



It Belongs in a Museum!

Uncharted 3 continues 2 years after the previous game, staring Nathan Drake who goes on a quest that surrounds his "relative" Sir Frances Drake. Playing the game will let you know why I put that in quotations. Anyway, him and Victor Sullivan (Sully) go on an adventure solving puzzles, picking up artifacts,and searching for a lost city of  Ubar, aka Atlantis of the Sands. It seems that there is some actuality to this place because there is a lost city that as been given that same name that was said to be destroyed by an "Act of God".

It is also apparent that a rival,  in all stories like this, is after the same city, but for a different reason and one we find out much later. Her name is Katherine Marlow, she has endless amounts of money, henchmen and all other villainous resources to give the player a challenge. So really nothing too surprising there. We Ride!


Tomb raiders or preservers?

That's a little hard to say, first Nathan and Sully want the "unmeasurable wealth" that is said to be in the city and then they want to save the world and destroy it. I guess it is a tomb raid after all.

Uncharted 3 keeps a same formula of gameplay setup the game has a number of large climbing obstacles, unique puzzles, and of course the hand to hand and gun combat. The new melee system is fun, effective, but dangerous. I mean it's so fun to just run out in big battle a smack the crap out of guys and it is easy to get a little carried away and well lets say don't bring fists to a gun fight unless you are Indiana Jones with some loud punching sounds. Melee combat is fun, fresh, and very well polished.


Oh What a Wonderful World

Are there talks of an Uncharted movie? Please no! A game like this continues to show that a movie can not match the likes of a game such as this one. The game world seems just as large as the real world. It is very easy to get lost all around there. That is until Uncharted 3's movie-like cut scenes take a smooth turn away from the large world. These qualities of Uncharted and any other game like it to expected and least surpassed in one way or another.

Unfortunately Uncharted does not really up the ante of visuals since Uncharted 2. Naughty Dog took what was expected and just ran with it and did little to surpass it or go above and beyond to further present a shock awe affect as it should have done.


Too Many Already?

As the game begins it tries to make the gameplay seem up and over way more than visuals. Each new emphasis on climbing, fighting, and solving comes to a more a more slow and boring pace as the game progresses leaving sometimes in question "What was the point of that?" Each gameplay element is fun and interesting, but why no real explanation for it.

Much like Modern Warfare 3's campaign, each moment of intensity is almost too fake to stand, but for a game like this, each destructive moment is more and more fun which is a huge plus to any Action Gamer with a PS3.

Another quick part to discuss is the use of supernatural elements and it is not really supernatural like in the previous 2 games, with the weird Nazi Hulks there, and Yetis here, and the Evil Avatar looking guys around there. Its just drugs! I mean the only bit of supernatural is in the water supply of Ubar. Some genies were cast to the bottom of the lake where the water is from and now the water has some crazy shroom mix in it. Which the hallucination scenes are a trippy good change of pace just to mess with ta! Fun!

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I Will Get By Without a Little Help from my Friends...

Multiplayer, yeah they still have it and they just had to improve it. Lets face it, mulitplayer in these games are just a gimmicky tack to try and extend the play life of the game. You don't need it! The game would have been much better without it. Naughty Dog should have made this story longer so when you play it again it well be fun a long while.

Don't get me wrong it's fun and I loved the beta, but it is not a game to play online nearly as long as Call of Duty or Battlefield. It gets boring fast the single play experience far out weighs the multiplayer experience and that is a reason why it gets boring.

Uncharted 2 had multiplayer to save for a quick time kill and maybe the story was better than this one because of the very light blink of focus on multipayer and bloodshot stare on single player.


The End... Or is it?

It is the last one? Probably not, but we do know for sure that this game is not as good as number 2, but better than first. This game lives a step back from the Uncharted 2. Was it too soon to see Drake again or just too frequent? Think of finding the best one is still like finding the Lost City of Atlantis. Isn't better to have us not find it and still think about its wonders rather than to find it and forget about it, only time will tell.

Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception earns 4 out of 6 golden eggs.


Sunday, December 11, 2011

VGA Wrap Up

Well I was right Skyrim won game of the year and rightfully so. One of my friends had me play a bit of it and I am soo gonna buy that game! Check out the other winners here.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Spike TV Video Game Awards Predictions

With the Spike TV VGA only game load away (see what I did, I made a video game reference to the VGA HA!) I thought I might take some time as to make some predictions as to who will win what on Saturday December 10. Lets press START (haHA!):

Go to Spike TV VGA to see the nominees and vote.

Studio of the Year:
I believe that VALVe will win. It seems that each game studio nominated, put out some very solid games this year, but Valve always had their secrecy and surprises much like Kojima Productions. When I saw them at the Sony conference at E3 I knew that they were gearing up for something great. The Delver both great games and a great studio that makes them.

Best Xbox 360 Game:
I have to go with Gears of War 3, because the love that people have for this franchise and the fact that it has ended well is sad and really it deserves to go out with a bang. Lets face Arkam City is too good to win best Xbox 360 game it is a little unfair. Gears 3 is a beloved game and it needs to win as best Xbox game.

Best PS3 Game:
Should I even say it? Little Big Planet 2, because it is for everyone. No matter who you are you can play it and love it. It fits so perfectly in any category, but it will win best PS3 game.

Best Wii Game:
The Legened of Zelda: Skyward Sword, it is a classic and has no way of slowing down. Lets face it how could it not be the best Wii game of this year? I hear people comparing it to Skyrim! It's better it is worse, but it is  a great contender for Game of the Year, and I know it will be the best Wii game.

Best PC Game:
Now this one is the hardest. BF3, Mincraft, The Witcher 2, and Portal 2? What to choose. Portal 2 beating the Witcher 2 by a slim disk. For this game's pick up and playablity and friendly gun gameplay for anyone. Portal became an instant classic for the masses. So it will win best PC game.

Best Handheld/Moble Game:
Super Mario 3D Land ok? Lets face it, THAT GAME IS FREAKIN AWESOME! It is Super Mario with awesome 3D tech to view it in and it has the Raccoon Tail back for Super Mario Bros 3 (which is the best game ever!) and its 3D! again... Come on it will win best handheld game.

Best Shooter:
I would consider it all around best shooter that is Battlefield 3. With a new game engine, great graphics, and all around more realistic gameplay, BF3 has it all for a amazing shooter. It will win best shooter no doubt.

Best Action Adventure Game:
Goes to Assassin's Creed: Revelations. Another great story comes to an end as Ezio makes his last kills. This game is fun and very open it is a wonderful end to a great story arch and it should win this.

Best RPG:
This is really another hard one. I'm gonna go with Deus Ex Human Revolution. Not because the other games are not as good it's because Deus is more easy to pick up and play unlike the rest. So it will win because of gamer compatibility.

Best Multi-Player Game:
MW3 and I know it has some problems, but there are fixes coming soon. Lets face it Activision is right about their own game. It is very easy to play, but incredibly hard to master. It has always been like that and will continue that way. That is good thing and a good reason for it to win best Multi-Player game. Plus the amount of players shows how popular it is.

I am skipping both Sport games categories, because Sport games are way more casual than the rest of these kinds of games. Plus I don't play Sport games at all.

Best Driving Game:
When it comes to graphics and functionality Forza 4 can't be beat. Honestly is that what a great racing game is all about? Yes it is when you want to drive a car you can never buy.

Best Fighting Game:
Is it a secret tournament? No it's MORTAL KOMBAT! to win best fighting game. Marvel vs. Capcom never left its roots neither did the others, but Mortal Kombat returned to its past arcade glory and does not fail to impress and it will win.

Best Motion Game:
Lets just ask what is most gimmicky game is. Be serous, all I think is that Skyward Sword should not win because it is not a gimmick.

Best Indie Game:
Minecraft DUH!! Just ask anyone why.

Best Adapted Video Game:
Batman: Arkham City is my choice because when Rocksteady made Arkam Asylum it is met allot of unprecedented success. Arkham City just blew that game away. The best adapted video game ever! Aside from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, but that's from the PS2.

The Music awards for games is not fair to predict. I have not and don't want to listen to music in games I have not played.

Best Graphics:
L.A. Noire. It needs to get at least one award. This is the only category that has this game. I know! It's BS! It has the best graphics too.

Best Performance By a Human:
Male: J.K. Simmons as Cave Johnson. Just listen to the Life and Lemons speech he gives.

Female: Another tough call. Tara Strong as Harley Quinn. She is every one's favorite female homicidal clown!

I can't predict best DL game or DLC because I have not played any of those games ever. Sorry.

Game of the Year

The winner goes to...

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Yes I gave in, but it seemed pretty obvious because of the hype and recpetion it earned, I know this game deserves this award.

Well that is it tune-in Live on Sat 12/10 At 8p ET / 5p PT on Spike TV and see who you or I want to win. Til' then Cya, have a good one.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

DEC and JAN...

Well this month is kinda light on releases and none of the games are even remotely enticing enough to review so I will just review the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection and Uncharted 3 (games Im getting for X-mas).

January... IS EVEN LESS?!?!?!? ok so I don't want to play Soulcalibur or what ever FFXIII-2 is about. Is that a '2'? ok... Hmm, Neverdead comes out. I will think of something. I know that when I become a real game journalist, I won't have the liberty to choose so I am taking advantange of that for now.

Bye.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The Last Good Fish? MW3 Review

            


          Call of Duty's Modern Warfare trilogy finished off with a bang just like Michael Bay's third Transformers. Wait weren't there transformers in MW3? No those were just Osprey VTOLs and normal AC-130s, right? Well anyway MW3 really shows up the competition with some unrealistic action, that's still fun, but a little short. This is the ninth installment of Call of Duty and has this series gotten washed up after so many games? Not so much there, MW3's writing and story keeps the gamer in interest for the full 6 hours, which is long for a movie, but short for a video game. The story picks up right after MW2, so be prepared to remember what happened last year (or 2 years ago). As I said the campaign is relatively short, but it is a very fun end to the MW trilogy. Like the other MW games, MW3 takes the player to many countries and into many bodies (lets be serious). The writing and dialogue go just as deep as Gears of War, it's a little corny and has a good bunch of army lingo and phrases. It may be a surprise or not, that there is a famous actor in this game, Timothy Olyphant who plays the Delta Force character, Grinch. I don't want to give to much of the story away, but it is like playing in the Transporter movie, more like the third one. It has a bunch of fun and dumb action with a post-it note of "The End" of the MW series. Moving on the gameplay, well has not changed at all, in fact Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games took out the diving feature, but you can still do a makeshift dive (run, jump, then hold to prone). Also at the end of the game it pulls a, "Lets a play some quick time action!", on the player. It least it is not as bad a COD3, buhh!!, but trust me I have played it, for the Wii. Shut Up! The gameplay really is like Halo, no change is good. The Spec Ops on the other hand is fun and challenging twist even with a buddy. Survival is well like Horde, but with two people yeah that's right, it's up to TWO players. Uhhh.... Now on to Multiplayer. It is sooo addicting for about a few days, but it is very balanced except for the spawning (which will get fixed) and the DAMN TYPE 95!!! But every COD has a nub gun for noobs, so just work past that or just use it and it will be fun. So multiplayer is a tad bit 'Black Ops boring', as I call it, but it still very fun and so much less aggravating than Black Ops and definitely less than MW2. The gameplay is good in all, but how does this game look. Well the IW 5 graphics engine was used for MW3, I must say that it is a great improvement from MW2 and BO. I will give credit to Treyarch for optimizing the IW3 engine from COD4 for Black Ops. Anyway it looks better than MW2, but with some familiarity and it runs on its crystal clear 60 FPS. Oh yeah!! The Graphics are great and the art is well, pretty good, not amazing, but very good. This is a must buy for the hardcore COD gamer and a rent for softcore. I'd say that this game earns 5 rationed eggs out of 6. Is this COD game the last good oily fish? Only the next November will tell...

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Next review: MW3

Are you suprised? Oh, well don't be. The review will be out by November 22, my deadline. Here's a MW3 video:

RAGE Review: Well that was bad. NOT THE GAME!



          Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake are the few franchises, but hugely known games that Publisher and Developer [id] software has made. Making a new debut of a little known game called RAGE which was just released  (last month uhgg), [id] moves to a well made genre that mixes FPS with an amount of RPG elements. Games such as Fallout 3, Boarderlands, and Metro 2033 have embarked on making games in this genre hybrid and RAGE is just a little late to the popular party. Lets move on the game now. Rage is a game that tones down the RPG elements and antes up the FPS action, much to the comparison of Call of Duty or Battlefield. Which I personally and generally think is a good idea, to give veterans of FPS/RPG, any [id] game or even new comers alike. First off the gameplay is very much the same, I should the most original up-to-date. Well they really made the FPS genre for the masses, so it is good gameplay. The controls feel exactly like a CoD Halo mix which is easy for any gamer. The game does not overwhelm the player with confusing (at least to me) RPG mumbo-jumbo like HP this and that, you need this to kill this, and so on. They are more choices to balance out the gameplay; more money more power or more money more quantity of less power, not to hard to grasp. The game also of course features the standard campaign missions along with a bunch of side-quests optional for completion. The driving in this game is much like an Test Drive Offroad meets Twisted metal and adds fun way to play and transport yourself to and fro. The cars can get stuck on edges, just don't get stuck within the first hour of the game, no tow truck... The world contains and few collectibles that are either supplies you can use, sell, some of which take some "Easter egg" hunting to get. The one thing other than its lack of original gameplay is that the game does not give a complete world map to view and set way points. I mean it's still fun without it, but it could make a player think the world is smaller than it really is. Multiplayer uses only veichlare combat for a few game types such as Combat Rally and Races which are fun, but get tiring after some time. There is also a coop mode that is just Rage with more people. So overall, RAGE has good gameplay, it's familiar and a little un-original, but it is very fun. Now for the story line (aside from me spoiling a few game before), I wont give it away, but the main character is part of a secret experiment called "The Ark" (Noah's ark kinda thing?), were the world lets say has a small world-wide "accident" that turns the world into freaks and stranded people with a "evil" authority out to get you. So its storytelling nice and interesting, keeps the gamer enthralled for hours. Good Stuff. The art and graphics are slightly date, but are much better that Fallout 3 for sure. The artstlye is grand and awesome, it makes The Road Warrior look puny. The scale of the game's dystopia is very well done, almost making it a platformer too. The look of the game is realistic with a very small line of cartoonish art, Boarderlands realism x 1.5. This game is not a Elder Scrolls amazing game, but it is for many FPS and RPG gamers out there looking for a new challenge. RAGE earns 5 out 6 eggs; perfectly fossilized eggs.


For the "Well that was bad" thing. I meant my timing for the reveiw; I try to get them out within 2 two weeks after release, but obviously not this one.

Friday, October 7, 2011

RAGE!!!!!!!

My next review will hopfully be Rage if I can rent it soon, cuz its rented out. If not soon then I will review Battlefield 3. If you have a PS3 get some Subway and play some Uncharted 3 multiplayer. 1-2-3, it-is-fun!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Gears of War 3 - A bloody end to a bloody good game.

gears_of_war_3


         Gears of War has been a game that defied what American made video games are in the current generation: bloody, angry, and brutish. Although Gears of War started that, Gears of War 3 tucks in this savage to epic bloody story in a nice warm bed with a cozy red blanket. The games started a bit shaky, but ended on very stable ground. The game mechanics don't change one bit and even the graphics hadn't improved much, but this game did fret about graphics and new gameplay because it simply did not need any improvements. The story for starters, is great. It wraps up the great story nicely, with no way for a sequel, but time to move on. The art style is the same really, but improves with new terrains and different kinds of mission and so on. Parts go under water, in the air, in the desert, and of course in urban environments. Not to forget the increasingly vicious Lambent creatures that make the enemies seem like smarter versions of Necromorphs in Dead Space. This game has plenty of unique collectibles and little things to do, but no simulation of Thrashball (if you don't know what it is, its GoW Football) (and if you don't know what GoW is then stop reading, please for your own good) . No the less great knickknacks and buttons to push. Multiplayer improves on nothing, but maps, which is good. Horde "2.0" has gotten a hellalot harder and has added a "Tower Defense" roll on it, for a more defensive play. A new game mode is called Beast, where a player(s) get to chose from a set of Locust creatures to take out human enemies within a set of time. Horde and Beast both earn money for its particular game and XP for overall online rank. That really covers it all. All multiplayer modes have ribbons and medals to be earned to increase playability. Competitive multiplayer is great balanced fun for TPS and FPS fans alike, but it does lack a little in map count and game modes, but that is made up for in Campaign, Horde, and Beast Modes. This game is great for any mature enough Xbox gamer, perfect for any Shooter Gamer out there, and you will buy this if you like either of the other Gears games. Oh yeah about Carmine, your gonna have to play it to find out his fate. This game earns 5 eggs and Lancered in half egg out of 6. Try the Corpser eggs, their to die for...

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Next review: Gears of War 3

Seeing as only one person (me) voted for something, thats what it will be. I am very discouraged that no one has seen this really yet, sure maybe one person a week that is not me, but they really arn't here. None of my facebook freinds even gave this a chance. I'm not gonna say anymore. Oh well, it least this will look good on a resume, just more views would help.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review - This is my world!

Deus Ex Human Revolution Gameplay 9-12-10 01
        Deus Ex: Human Revolution is the third game and a prequel within the Deus Ex series that started over ten years ago. A game developed by Edios Montreal and published by Square Enix, this Action-RPG takes you into a pretty realistic future where by 2027 human augmentations are available to the entire world public. Of course with any scientific breakthrough comes masses of protests and that is a sub plot in this pretty to simple and great concept to understand in its storytelling. Anyway, the player takes the roll of Adam Jensen, a former Detroit police officer (yes Detroit is the main setting) now head-of-security for massive augmentation manufacturing, research and development corporation called Sarif Industries. Well play the game, I am only telling you whether it's good or not, which I have made the mistake of spoiling the stories before. For that I am sorry.  For starters the game's story is as I said, really good blah blah blah. No really it is really good and easy to follow unlike Metal Gear, wooh. That brings up another point to follow in with the gameplay. Alright the game is very hard before and during the first boss battle. After this 'hump', as Adam Sessler called it, the game pretty much is awesome. Think of it as Metal Gear Solid (only in gameplay) meets Call of Duty/Battlefield (in this comparison those FPS's are the same damn game!). It blends both first and third person together like Activison's 007 Quantum of Solace, but more choice of gameplay style and more stealth. One bad thing the developers did not add was the ability to re-map or for that matter change the controls at all. I got used to it, but I wish I could change the controls to a more COD or BF feel because that is my natural feel, and about the same game feel that the hundreds of millions of people who play all FPS games. The game takes the RPG play down a bit, I didn't ever think this was an RPG until someone said it was. I mean either it is catered to the mix of FPS and RPG gamers alike or that was its original feel over ten years ago. For I COD player (me) and RPGers (many others) it felt great. Lastly, the graphics were top-of-the-line amazing and the art style worked, except for the Lady Gaga news anchor (just play it). The art seemed pretty familiar and also took on a future of its own too. It felt a little like Blade Runner tech noir and the freedom of movement in open spaces, modern and an orangery like Crysis. Overall, a great art mix, oh yeah and good acting too. Adam sounds a little like Snake, but maybe more sincere (watch the ending) If you like FPS games or any games that allow customization and your a sucker for a good story, check this out! It gets 5 eggs and a half-augmented one.


Sunday, August 28, 2011

Deus Ex: The Eyeborg Documentary

Here is a cool short documentary comparing Deus Ex: Human Revolution to modern day prosthetic technologies and if this game could be real.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Next review Deus Ex: Human Revolution

My next review will be of Deus Ex: Human Revolution. I had no idea they made to two previous games, but looks very cool. It looks like Crysis meets the T-1000 from Terminator 2, from the player's point of view at least. It comes out August 23rd for PC PS3 and Xbox 360.

Monday, July 4, 2011

No Reviews this month

I made a big mistake. I deiced to take an online summer class that I thought was a standard 16 week semester class. It's 8 weeks and double the work in summer. So no reviews in July, but I will resume with two reviews in August. I get 1 rotten egg.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

E3 is Over

Now the worst part of E3 begins. Waiting for each game to come out!!!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Halo 4 Trailer

It looks like Halo is back! Take a look at the first trailer of Halo 4! Then watch the Halo Anniversary Edition trailer too!

                                                       Halo 4:

                            Halo Anniversary Edition:

Saturday, June 4, 2011

L.A. Noire Review

            

        Has anyone ever heard of a 1940's Film Noir style video game? No, not until the release of L.A. Noire. Developed by Team Bondi of Sydney, Australia; L.A. Noire brings the stories of 1940's crime on the streets of L.A. to the PS3 and Xbox 360. Also co-developed and published by Rockstar Games, LA Noire is quite the opposite of GTA and even Red Dead. In this game you play as a WWII vet who has returned home to become "a cop". As the player proceeds through the game, the main character Cole Phelps (voiced and faced by Aaron Staton) is promoted to working other types of cases. The main focus of game play is to analyze each crime scene and decide whether suspects and/or witnesses of the crime are lying, being truthful, or doubtful of whole situation based on a series of questions the game makes you ask about a case. Thats not all, there are runners and shooters who fight back and the player must uphold the law in any way possible, with occasional injury or accidental property damage. This game play is so original and so very well programmed it makes you feel like a real forensic investigator without all of the fancy computer technology. Even when a player has beaten this game, it will keep enticing you more to play over and over again. You can also explore a small piece of 1947 Los Angeles with either you or your NPC partner behind the wheel. Unfortunately if your running a case, smashing around town will severely impact your case fitness reports, and careful with who drives because even the AI aren't perfect drivers either. Anyway, the game player feels that of a real-life crime investigations; you got to deal with stuff on the ground, running around, and shooting some clowns... um, yeah clowns acting like they can do what every they want. Anyway there is not a single person in this game that even looks like a clown, the facial rendering and animations are a new revolutionary face scanning technology that now takes people that have to face act too like in real movies! I mean this technology was made so you can see if someone is lying. Along with that, the other renderings and graphics are amazing, this 1940's LA is so convincing, I don't live in LA at all, but I think Rockstar would know a thing or too about LA and have the ability to help Team Bondi make the perfect LA from sixty years ago. Even the cars are realistic for the time period and licensed too. Not the mention the wonderfully authentically placed products out and around the area. This game even allows you to make the color black and white, but too bad you can't add more fog around the alleys and constantly have the ground all wet, but bravo anyway. The game's story really is a story you experience for your self. In short, the story line is about how Cole's army experiences end up intertwining with some WWII buddies and there is some whole great big Hollywood conspiracy. All in all this game gets a  valorous award of six out of six eggs. Lets inspect this evidence.

EVIDENCE A:

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Reveal Trailer

Modern Warfare is back in the fight with its upcoming sequel to the highly rated Modern Warfare 1 & 2. This trailer shows just a very short glimpse of the campaign gameplay. I know this may seem cliche to all COD games now, but this one looks more amazing than any of the predecessors! Enjoy.


Monday, May 9, 2011

Mortal Kombat review

          

      In 1992, Mortal Kombat sent its blow to the spines of parents and other groups because of the amount of blood and gore. Mortal Kombat was one of the games that made people from the ESRB and began the biggest controversies of the modern day, violence in video games. Enough about the looked down portion of MK, time for the guts and glory. This would be the ninth game in the main franchise and the first MK game for the newly from NetherReam Studios (reformed from Midway Chicago) with a newly signed contract with WB Interactive. The main point of this game is its gameplay rooted from the classic arcade MK games, it returns to a 2-D plane with 3-D graphics. The game does a well balanced job of being able to link combos with special moves. So you can't keep doing Forward Forward Low Kick with Sektor all the time, but you can pull off some +25% health damage on others without seeming cheap. The running option from MK3 haunted each arcade with the AI that could run to you and kick even more crap out of you; instead they add dashing 2 or 3 steps, which they could have done without. Now the story of this game is like watching a different version of the MK movie for the first three games. The story centers around the end of MK Armageddon, when all the warriors of every realm have been slain, Radian and Shao Kahn face of in the final battle of Mortal Kombat. Of course he would prevail, but in Radian's final breaths he is able to send his past self images that set in motion a new timeline in Mortal Kombat. As stated before, it is like watching the MK movie with a ton of characters and the same corny dialogue, but it is sort of bad in a very good way. That said I move to the art and graphics. The Unreal engine really shows its potential in this game, I mean the graphics are awesome. The art is just as perfect as anyone could want to see. Even though the menus are done with HD sprites it still looks cool. I must also mention the music, it is like going back to UMK 3 in the arcades, the music is o-u-t standing and Dan Forden will pop up every so cool move and yell TOASTY!!! I want some eggs and toast! This game earns 5 out of 6 ostrich eggs.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Crysis 2 Review


       
        Crysis was a gamer crisis when it was released. Some people would Cry if Crysis couldn't run on their PC. It was probably the first PC game to say indirectly that your PC sucks! After Crytek's staggering display of graphics, Crysis became the soul standard for high end gaming computers. Some people would say it was only good because of its graphics, and others would argue that. In Crysis, players took on the roll of a man called Nomad. Nomad was with a group of Special Forces lead by Prophet. Each member wore a unique "Nanosuit" that enabled them to become super soldiers. A routine spy operation on a North Korean base led to a discovery of an alien artifact that when messed with awoke an entire alien ship that had been buried for millions of years. In short, the US was contacted and sent the Navy to fight and Prophet went back to the island, and apon defeating "the boss", Nomand, Physco(a former SAS now US SP in a Nanosuit), and a scientist flew into the island to find Prophet. In Crysis 2, three years later, somehow Prophet is out and paranoid. Prophet rescues a man named Alcatraz and gives his Nanosuit to this ordinary soldier and then I don't spoil anything. So essentially, Nomad and Physco are where now? The game holds in that information and does not let the player know anything, at all, ever. That really is the only major down point in Crysis 2. Anyway, this invasion that was escalating since Crysis hits New York and Prophet's Nanosuit that has been modified by contact with aliens is the key to destroying them somehow. So after destroying stuff and saving people and smacking around enemies the game ends and Alcatraz apparently has developed Prophets personality. Yeah I know... whaat? So maybe people who loved Crysis will be a little confused and shocked, in a bad way. Moving on to what Crysis is known for, the graphics. Crysis 2 does have the best console graphics of any game so far; they brought those insane graphical ablities as its oringinal did it in new platforms, but not new heights. I don't know how it looks on PC, but probably not much better, if not at all. Still, it has the best console graphics, though. The graphics of the first game portrayed the "Wooden Jungle" almost perfectly and same with the "Concrete Jungle" in Crysis 2. The alien architecture was very original, and it seemed familiar, yet new in the same way. The rest of the art is really realistic looking and that’s really all that can be said there. Its unique game play of using these armor modules is easier to do for consoles and even in its multiplayer modes. Other than that, the game play has not changed much except for being able to slide while running and being able to add little perks in single-player (like CoD). Now moving to what is needed in FPS games now, multiplayer. Now the short statement here is the fact that it is very biased. Now let me explain. You take Halo and mix it with Battlefield/ Call of Duty and you get Crysis 2 multiplayer. If you like both then this is for you, if not then try renting this first. This also goes for single-payer, and that will just about wrap Crysis 2 up. This game earns a 5 out of 6 eggs, the breakfast of a true super soldier.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Crysis 2 review coming soon and short new Preview

         Crysis 2 review will be up once I can get some time on it. I have seen a video for Crysis 2 and it is below. I want to talk about the video. Go ahead and watch then read what I say. Ok this video starts out with a stealth kill very similar to a stealth kill in Kill Zone or Aliens vs. Predator. I would like to say just as a comparison. This game is like Battlefield on steroids. Not saying it’s too much like it, but even from the first game, the movement felt like Battlefield. Anyway the stealth kills in FPS must be all the rage and I like this addition. I notice that the guy Alcatraz (main character) kills is human and is called a CELL solider like from the demo. So apparently some humans may have chosen or were forced to work with the Aliens. Watching more of this made me more hyped about this. The sliding is a fun feature and it seems that the character can take more damage in Crysis 2 (if this difficulty is normal) than in Crysis. This game does have all the versatility that it’s original had and more. The open environments look very prevalent, also much like Crysis. Unfortunately ammo looks a little scarcer. So it looks like there is a survival aspect and players must really watch their ammo count. Then I saw the character show his hand on the screen and saw a bunch of little armor changes that could be made. I believe it’s the modules from multiplayer (equivalent of perks in CoD). I think that went over the top and might affect the single player. I just think it's a little too much for a FPS like this. Other than that, it will be amazing, right? Tell me what you think.


Friday, February 4, 2011

Dead Space 2 Review


          Horror franchises have been trying to find the human mind's epicenter of fear. The Horror video games have something movies don't have, interaction. When Dead Space came out, no one knew what to expect. When the players entered the hull of the USG Isimura, the other happy video games they knew died. While the player walked Isaac through the Nercomorph infestation, unspeakable horrific nightmares worked their way into the players’ thoughts and fears. After surviving this encounter, the horror was not over and a larger more terrifying fate was ahead. Dead Space 2 began three years later, after Isaac was sent to a physiatrist ward on a Saturn moon called Titan Station, where he did things he does not remember. The first scene of the game is defiantly the most horrific video game moment ever. You watch helplessly as a man trying to free Isaac is turned into a Necromorph instantly. All of the gory and disturbing details are thrown in your face. After Isaac is able to kick the monster away (oh yeah, Isaac is also confined to a straight jacket) the player must quickly direct Isaac through the other rooms and hallways as the Necromorph breakout beings. One wrong turn and your dead. As the player finally gets the famed Plasma Cutter, it is a God send. You would think with the additional weapons obtainable in the game, you would be safe. This game makes sure you don't feel safe, ever. The game does a great job of challenging the player with non-boring puzzles and some very fun and scary zero gravity flying sequence. The does not change up the old enemies and the new enemies are not hard to get use to making this game perfectly predictable after playing once. Visceral Games did really set the bar in terms of difficulty, by making it so the game could only be saved 3 times. This difficulty also took the hardest enemy difficulty and took away the ability to use the items the player obtained by completing the game. Only players that are "hard core" in Dead Space should giving Hard Core mode a try. Quick time action sequences added more action, but not more button pressing, which again kept making the game more predictable. Even though the game was predicable the feeling of fear was still there. The story of Dead Space 2 is only completely followed if the original Dead Space is played, making it more of and a epic story. Throwing Nicole fighting Isaac in his head gave me quite a scare. The scare in this could only been achieved by the perfect harmony of the art and sound. Much like the first Dead Space, the art wonderfully and horribly showed that the minds at Visceral Games are not normal. It also made the atmosphere best of any seen in movies or video games. Multiplayer was a new addition to Dead Space and in Dead Space 2 it was awesome. The balancing was great it seems either team could take a win. But one issue was the team killing. It should not have been put in. Other than that the multiplayer took on a Left 4 Dead style verses mode with the game play and look of the Dead Space universe. What can I say, Dead Space 2 is Visceral. It earns a 6 out of 6 eggs. Those are eggs right? J-Just checking.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Little Big Planet 2 Review


         Since the time of Atari, the side scrolling games started something new. Then in 2008 a little game called Little Big Planet brought the freshness of the new age of gaming back. Three years later Little Big Planet 2 was released. This game does bring back many things that made the first one amazing and just a few more new things. Although the game had new levels, you knew you were playing this game, and that’s great. I find it appealing that Media Molecule did make another storyline with a antagonist ”The Negativitron", which is sort funny for the older kids and good for the little kids. It teaches us all a lesson, don't a Negativitron! The overall story was that of children’s book, which is not always easy to make, and understanding was so simple a 3 year should understand and play it. They should not play Call of Duty or Halo! The community creates their own story with in the level creator. I am not much of a creator, but I sure enjoy the levels. Someone can type anything from a game to a movie and find anything "sacked", even football. While the Sack Boy was still a sac and was able to be customized, the new and different looking levels and characters felt like a new LBP game, still friendly, but hazardous. Just like in the first game, the story levels all had a surrealistic style to them, along with music being happy and creepy. The sound effects didn't change much at all, but what real gamer would care? The game does sport its next gen graphics, but does not improve. Well the game probably could not do as much in terms of customization with updated graphics. Gameplay does not change much either, but the addition of the grapple gun and power gloves adds a little new fun. The game does play like an average next gen side scroller with a few added things like the New Super Mario Bros. games. It is not too basic and maybe a little over-the-top, in fun. All in all, Little Big Planet 2, if you own a PS3 and are in need of classic, fun, and friendly change, take a look around at The Big new familiar world of Little Big Planet 2.  This game earns 6 out of 6 eggs. Time for a macro sized omelet!

                                   

Second and last time.

I WILL have the review by today. I can't be late again. I swear I think I am acting like an Ostrich!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

LBP2 update

Well I have Little Big Planet 2 until Tuesday, but Dead Space comes out then so I will have the review of LBP2 tomorrow.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Little Big Planet 2 Coming Soon

I will have a review of Little Big Planet 2 on Sunday. So I must wait til Friday to rent it.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Intro

Hey anyone who sees this don't leave! Anyway I am Alec Edwards or The Ostracized Gamer. I love video games and Ostriches. All I will do is rate games that have been rated a million times already, but I do it a little differently. My first game I will rate is going to be Little Big Planet 2. In a few months I may move to a website, but for now I rate here. Anyone with suggestions of games to rate just ask me. Since I am not made of money I will have to rent each game (unless I want it) to review it. I will review based of three criteria in terms of quality, Gameplay, Story (Narritive/Characters), and Art (Sound/Graphics). Depending on what each criteria should be it will get between zero and two Ostrich Eggs. 6 Eggs would be the highest rating for a game. So sit back and wait for a all honest review from The Ostracized Gamer.